Cottage on Worcester State Hospital campus faces demolition

WORCESTER — It appears one historic building on the Worcester State Hospital campus will be torn down, while steps continue to rebuild a landmark at the Belmont Street complex.

The bidding process for reconstruction of the Clock Tower on the site should begin soon, according to Deborah Packard, executive director of Preservation Worcester. Area preservationists and state officials already signed a memorandum of agreement saving the Worcester State Hospital Clock Tower, as well as two other historic structures.

The Clock Tower has been dismantled, but Ms. Packard said she hadn't seen any progress until she heard recently that the bidding process is beginning. She said once the tower project is completed, there will be one interesting feature. The tower will be illuminated at night, allowing people to see it from a distance. Also, the original clock mechanism will be put into the tower.

Unfortunately, however, another building on the campus will most likely be torn down.

The Henry Prentice Cottage, located at 269 Belmont St., is structurally unsound, and with no state, city or third party agency interested in reusing or rehabilitating the building it appears it will be demolished by the end of the year.

Epsilon Associates Inc., based in Maynard, submitted a project notification form June 19 on behalf of the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance concerning the building. The notification was sent to the Massachusetts Historical Commission on June 19. The Worcester Historical Commission and Preservation Worcester were also given copies.

The state was securing and mothballing the building when it was discovered the building was structurally unsound and had hazardous materials inside. A structural engineer inspected the building and found it was unsafe to have anything heavier than minor pedestrian traffic inside.

State officials deemed the building a safety risk, given the building's condition and accessibility near a major road. The state Historical Commission's response regarding the building's fate is expected to come July 19. The demolition cost is estimated to be $200,000.

The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance has considered alternatives to demolition, but found none.

According to the report, the Henry Prentice Cottage was built in 1845 and is one of two farmhouses. Mr. Prentice, a farmer in his day, sold his property to the state so the hospital could be built.

The one-and-a-half-story building has retained its Greek Revival-style detailing, but has many problems.

"The overall condition of the building is very poor due to the disrepair and water infiltration," the report by Epsilon Associates states. "The basement has a high moisture concentration resulting in moisture decay of structural members."

There is also insect damage in different parts of the building. There are asbestos-containing objects inside the building, along with other hazardous materials, such as lead-based paint. The report said the state does not have the money to stabilize the building and remediate the hazardous materials inside.

Ms. Packard said it is a shame that the building will most likely be demolished.

"At this point I think the building is past salvation," she said. "It is very difficult. That's one of the things that we are learning and I am learning. You really need to identify the property before it gets to that condition."